Magic prepare for 'relentless' Wizards rookie point guard John Wall

WASHINGTON -- Containing John Wall by getting back quickly on defense will be one of the Orlando Magic's top defensive priorities when they face the Washington Wizards at 7 tonight at Verizon Center.

Wall might not be able to play because of a bruise under his left knee, but you can bet that Magic coach Stan Van Gundy mentioned Wall prominently at the team's walkthrough this morning in a hotel ballroom here in downtown Washington.

Magic point guards Jameer Nelson and Chris Duhon will guard Wall one-on-one if Wall can play tonight.

"He's really fast," Duhon said last night, after the Magic defeated the Cleveland Cavaliers 111-100. "He's easily already one of the fastest guards in the league. He's relentless. He's going to keep going, no matter if he turns the ball over, makes a bad shot or makes a good play.

"You've got to get back [on defense'," Duhon added. "When he has the ball, he has to see five guys looking at him to kind of try to persuade him not to penetrate. But if he sees lanes or he sees guys' backs, he's going to run right up on you."

Even after the Magic routed the Wizards 112-83 on Oct. 28 in both teams' season openers, Magic players used nothing but glowing words to describe the Wizards' rookie point guard.

"I'll tell you what, he's quicker than a blink," Vince Carter said then. "He's a young guy who seems like he has a great feel of the game. He's not afraid to really be the point guard, be the floor general out there."

Wall scored 14 points, dished out nine assists and turned the ball over three times in that game.

He has gained some experience since, and he is now averaging 18.0 points, 9.1 assists and 3.9 turnovers per game.